1. Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
Adam El-Hiraika
Director, Macroeconomic Policy Division
May 2018
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2018 Conference of Ministers

2. Key messages 2
Growth is recovering in most African countries;
Fiscal and current account deficits remain stable but high;
Varying monetary policy stance, as inflation remains high;
Africa’s trade performance rebounds though low;
Positive growth outlook despite headwinds;
Growth is recovering in most African countries as the global economy rebounds. Increased private consumption and investment, rising commodity prices, strong external demand and favourable weather conditions underpinned this growth;
Africa’s fiscal and current account deficits remain stable since 2016 but still relatively high;
Varying monetary policy stance, as inflation remains high in most African countries;
Africa’s trade performance rebounds though it remains relatively low as compared to previous years;
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
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UNECA.ORG

3. Growth rebounds in 2017 3
Thanks to improved domestic conditions and macroeconomic environment;
Slow growth in Africa’s largest economies has bottomed out.
Slow growth in Africa’s largest economies of Angola, Nigeria and RSA has bottomed out since the end of 2016.
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
UNECA.ORG

4. Growth recovered in sub-regions4
Growth by sub-region
With East Africa leading the sub-regions.
Mainly driven by increased private consumption, investment, and government expenditure on infrastructure.
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
UNECA.ORG

5. Narrowing fiscal deficit though high5
Due to fiscal consolidation;
Demonstrating continued commitment to sound macroeconomic management
Though exerting pressure through rising public debt levels in some countries
Though, relatively high fiscal deficits coupled with exchange rate depreciations have put pressure on rising public debt levels in some countries
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
UNECA.ORG

6. Varying monetary policy measures6
With some countries reducing interest rates to enhance demand and growth;
While others increased their interest rates to curb inflation;
However, inflation remains high due to increasing oil prices & devaluations.
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
UNECA.ORG

7. Improved trade performance7
Due to the recovery in the global economy;
With increased exports and reduced imports.
The AfCFTA is expected to play a critical role in Africa’s trade performance.
Due to the recovery in the global economy, especially that of Africa’s trading partners and the overall recovery in global trade activity.
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
UNECA.ORG

8. As a consequence of Africa’s good economic performance since 2000.
Declining poverty rates amid high inequality 8
Poverty headcount ratio declined from 55.6 per cent in 2002 to 41 per cent in 2013;
Low poverty reduction pace;
Inequality is partly driven by structural features.
Poverty headcount ratio declined from 55.6 per cent in 2002 to 41 per cent in 2013.
As a consequence of Africa’s good economic performance since 2000.
High poverty gaps, inequality & lack of decent job creation contributed to low poverty reduction pace;
Inequality is partly driven by structural features
Such as the stage of development, low share of working age population and gender inequality.
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
UNECA.ORG

9. Access inequities for women, rural dwellers and low-income groups
Progress made in both education and health 9
Access inequities for women, rural dwellers and low-income groups;
Public expenditures (as % of GDP) equivalent to OECD levels;
But minimal effect on education and health outcomes in Africa.
Access inequities for women, rural dwellers and low-income groups
Remain an important feature of the inequalities in opportunities
E.g. in primary school enrolment, and child and maternal mortality rates.
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
UNECA.ORG

10. Positive medium-term growth prospects10
Growth is expected to reach 3.6% in 2018 and 3.8% in 2019
Negative effects of developments in advanced and emerging economies.
Weather-related shocks remain a regional risk.
Security or political uncertainties pose risks to Africa’s outlook.
Growth is expected to reach 3.6% in 2018 and 3.8% in 2019
Thanks to continued prudent macroeconomic management and strong domestic demand.
Slow growth recovery in the advanced and emerging economies and tightening of financial markets
May affect export demand and curtail FDI flows to Africa.
Weather-related shocks remain a regional risk, in particular in parts of East Africa.
Security or political uncertainties ahead of key elections in some African countries pose risks to the outlook of some countries.
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
UNECA.ORG

11. Conclusions and policy implications11
Focus should be on medium and long-term strategies;
Fiscal policy remains a critical tool for growth and stability;
Enhancing domestic resource mobilization to achieve the SDGs;
Consolidating peace and security remain critical.
Maintain focus on medium and long-term strategies to attract private investment, and build infrastructure
To boost productivity and competitiveness.
Fiscal policy remains a critical tool for growth and stability in the region
With counter-cyclical policies in commodity-dependent economies, and fiscal consolidation in high deficit countries.
Enhancing domestic resource mobilization to achieve the SDGs.
Consolidating peace and security critical to medium-term prospects and development in the continent.
Overview of recent economic and social conditions in Africa
UNECA.ORG

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